CONTROVERSIAL plans for a travellers site in Frampton Cotterell have been met with concern from residents. 

Should the planning application be approved, a site with space for five mobile homes and five touring caravans will be established on green belt land at Bristol Road near the Frampton Cotterell Texaco garage.

The site, which has already received approval for a stable block, would become the home of a traveller family who are well known in the area.

Although located on the green belt, personal circumstances of the travellers are said to “outweigh” any potential harm to the scenic area.

On Friday, committee members from South Gloucestershire Council visited the site to assess the plans.

Cllr Dave Hockey, who attended the meeting, said: “These sites are usually controversial, so a site visit is carried out to assess the context of the planning application.”

A number of residents from the area attended the meeting to express their concerns and objections. 

Frampton Cotterell resident Jen Dunford, a retired teacher, explained that she was particularly worried about the welfare of the traveller children.

 She said: “I believe that a number of children will end up living on this site, and I am concerned that they will end up walking along the busy main road, which has no pavement.

“Another factor to consider is that the children currently attend a school in Yate, so moving to Frampton Cotterell will be very disruptive for them.

“The site just doesn’t seem to be the best place for this family.”
Michaela Crumpton, of Coalpit Heath, spoke to the council on behalf of all of the residents who object to the plans.

She said: “This application centres on equality and diversity, but for many residents who have personally contacted me, there is no evidence of equality here.

“Many residents in Frampton Cotterell have made applications for extensions and annexes to their homes and have been refused permission due to the land being in the green belt.

“The same rules and regulations should apply to the travellers as well.” 

Dr Angus Murdoch, the agent on behalf of the applicant, spoke to councillors at the site.

“Whilst it is accepted that the use of the site represents inappropriate development in the green belt, there are very special circumstances which clearly outweigh that harm,” he said.

However, Dr Murdoch declined to expand on his comment when approached by the Gazette. 

Councillors will decide whether to approve or refuse the planning application at a meeting at Turnberrie’s Community Centre in Thornbury on Thursday, April 6 at 11am.